Absorption spectra of heteronuclear group II metal diatomic molecules in solid argon at 10 K

Codeposition of different group IIA and IIB metal atoms in rare gas matrices at 10 K has resulted in the identification of several previously unreported diatomic species from their electronic absorption spectra. Structured absorption bands were observed for ZnHg, CdHg, MgZn and MgCd at 258, 266, 318, and 327 nm, respectively, with average vibronic spacings of 85, 81, 146, and 144 cm−1, respectively, Unstructured absorptions were observed at 267 and 318 nm for Zn/Cd and Mg/Hg combinations. Spectroscopy and bonding are discussed in terms of simple molecular orbital models. The Hg2 dimer is considered in light of the ZnHg and CdHg data.